Full fashioned hosiery knitting machine



Nov. 23, 1937. Q SCHERLE.' 2,100,202

FULL FASHIONED HOSIERY KNITTING MACHINE Fiid Aug. 1s, 193s 2 sheets-sunt 1 ooooeoooyomo Q f 024740, o@ l @ca/ 96pv or -:a

8l y BY a4, 35' Y /vw ATTORNEY.

Nov. .23, 1937. e., scHERLE FULL FASHIONED HOSIERY KNITTING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Shed 2 Filed Aug. 19, 1936 Panarea Nw.- zs, 1937v STATSI vPATET' DFFICE MAC Gottfried Scherle, Bloomfield, N. J.

Application August 19, 1936, Serial No. 96,734

Claims.

My invention relates in general to knitting machines and refers particularly to machines employed for knitting full fashioned hosiery.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a machine of simplified construction which will eii'ectively accomplish the results desired.

Another object of my invention is easy access to all parts of a machine which is capable of providing a large number of desirable results.

Another object of my invention is a simple way of obtaining independent adjustability of a separate needle bar'for each knitting section of the machine.

.Another object of my invention is a simple space-conserving form of operating mechanism by which any single knitting section of the machine is capable of being separately controlled- Another object of my invention is to render it easily capable of being embodied in knitting machines of the type to which it relates Without changing or disturbing the usual construction of other parts of the machine.

Another object of my invention is to increase ,l the production or out-put of knitting machines by its embodiment therein.

Another object of my invention is convenience in using the machine in operation.

Another object of my invention is economy in manufacturing the machine. c

Other objects of my invention will be evident later.

In one form of my invention, two needle bars, belonging respectively to a pair of adjacent knit- 40 ting sections of the machine, are hingedly carried by a-series of three needle bar arms, with means for independently adjusting each of the needle bars, and a single press shaft arm has separate disconnectible operating connections with the re- 45. spective needle bars, providing -for shifting either of the needle bars to and from its working position independently of the other;

More particularly, the intermediate needle bar arm has a separate connection to each of the two tu needle bars at their adjacent ends, and each of the needle bars has its own individual needle bar press arm which is individually disconnectibly connected with the single press shaft arm.

A full understanding of my invention can be 55 obtained from the-following particular description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating one practically workable form of the machinel of my invention, similar parts being designated by similar numerals.

Figure 1 is a broken vertical section on the 5 irregular line l-I of Figure 2 of a full fashioned hosiery knitting machine having my invention embodied therein.

Figure 2 is a broken front elevation as viewed from the left in Figure 1 and shows a pair of 10 closely associated knitting sections, forming one of a series of substantially similar pairs extending throughout the length of the machine.

Figure 3 is an enlarged broken vertical section on the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a broken vertical section on the line oi-t of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a disassembled rear perspective view 20 of some of the parts in Figures 3, 4 and 5.

Figure 7 is a vertical -section on the line 7--7 of Figure 2.

vIn carrying out my invention, I employ two needle bars I0 and l l for a pair of knitting sections, that is, a separate needle bar for each of the two adjacent sections which form the asso-l ciated pair. The left needle bar ill carries a series of upstanding needles lZ-IZ and the right needle bar il carries a series of similar needles l3-l3.

In forming the knitted fabric, the needles -l2-I2 and llt-I3 zzo-operate, in a usual way, with other parts, including a series of movable sinker blades, such as Hi, carried by a. stationary sinker head l5, and further including a. Series of movable knock-over blades, not shown.

The needles l2--I2 and l3--l3 have a usual composite movement which is the resultant of up and down and of forward and back movements similarly imparted to the needle bars l0 and Il.

My invention provides particular means for eiecting adjustments of each of the needle bars I0 and Il independently of the other. Also it provides particular means by whichV either the one or the other of the two needle bars l0 and I l may be individually and separately shifted for- Y Wardly to an inactive or non-knitting position,

Except for being left and right, the two needle bars lli and Ii are alike. These two needle bars are supported upon and are concomitantly reciprocated upwardly and downwardly by means of a, series of three needle bar arms IE-I 6 and I1, all of which are fixed upon and extend rearwardly from a usual rocking needle bar shaft I8, upon which these arms are supported and by which they are operated, for alternately raising and lowering the needles I2-I2 and I3-I3, in their usual movements.

The two laterally outermost arms IG--IG are spaced apart relatively to the opposed ends of the needle bars I0 and I I, and are shown as disposed respectively along these bars substantially at the middle of their length. Thesearms IG--I 6 are duplicates throughout, and are of a substantially usual form of construction, including the hinge means and the adjusting means through which the needle bars IU and II are respectively mounted upon these arms. Therefore a description of the left arm I6, as shown in Figures 2 and '1, for the needle bar IU, will also serve for the other arm I6, to which the same reference numerals are applied.

The rear end of the arm I6 (Figure 7) has a vertical guide surface I8A provided with a. vertical guide rib I9 which is slidably embraced by the vertical flanges of a lower hinge member 2U, as indicated in Figure 7. A rearwardly headed clamp bolt 2l passes through a vertically elongated aperture 22 in the hinge member 20 and screws into the end of the arm I6.

With the bolt 2I loosened, the hinge member 2U may be vertically adjusted and repositioned upon the arm IB by means of a vertically adjustable abutment screw 23 carried by a downwardly extended portion of the arm I6, after which the clamp bolt 2| is tightened.

The upper end of the lower hinge member 20 carries a hinge knuckle 24 which is received between the depending ears or knuckles 25--25 of an upper hinge member 26 which is fixed upon the lower marginal position of the needle bar II). A hinge pin 21 passes through .the-hinge knuckles 24 and 25-25 of the lower and upper hinge members 20 and 26, being fixed in one of the knuckles 25--25, as indicated in Figure 2.

The adjacent opposed end portions of both of the needle bars I0 and II are hingedly and adjustably mounted upon the rear end of the single intermediate needle bar arm I1 by means of a special construction.

The needle bar arm I1 has a head 28 formed upon its rear end. This head 28 has a vertical at rear guide face 29 between a pair of similar vertically extended lateral guide flanges 30-3I). .A pair of similar left and right lower hinge members 3| and 32 fit against the face 29, between the anges 30-30 and against each other.

The left hinge member 3| is fixed upon the arm I1 by means of a rearwardly headed clamp bolt 33 which passes through a vertically elongated aperture 34 in the hinge member 3| and screws into the arm head 28. 'Ihe lower end of the hinge member 3l has a forwardly extended toe 35 which carries a vertically adjustable abutment screwv 36 for the lower face of the head 28. By loosening the clamp bolt 33 and adjusting the abutment screw 36, the lower hinge member 3I may be vertically adjusted and repositioned upon the needle bar arm I1, when the clamp bolt 33 has been tightened.

The upper end of the left lowerhinge member 3I is formed with a hinge knuckle 31, within which there is lixed one of the end portions of a hinge pin 38, by means of a set screw 39. The other end portion of this hinge pin 38 extends beyond the hinge knuckle 31 toward the left as viewed from the front in Figures 2 and 3.

The left end portion of the hinge pin 38 is journaled in a hinge knuckle 40 formed, just below the adjacent right end portion of the left needle bar ID, upon a needle bar press arm E which is fixed upon the lower marginal portion of and extends downwardly from the needle bar I0. Thus the upper portion of this press arm 4I forms also an upper hinge member for its hinge knuckle 4I), relatively to the lower hinge member 3|.

. The adjacent or opposed left end portion of the right needle bar II is hingedly and adjustably mounted upon the needle bar arm I1 by means similar to those described for thus mounting the right end portion of the left needle bar IU, the right lower hinge member 32 being utilized for the right needle bar I I. Such similar means are separatelyv described, with 4different reference numerals, in order to avoid confusion between the two.

A clamp bolt 42, screwing into the head 28, passes through a vertically elongated aperture 43 of the hinge member 32, and a lower front toe 44 of the latter carries a vertically adjustable abutment screw 45.

The upper end of this hinge member 32 has a hinge knuckle 46, with the left end portion ofv a hinge pin 41 fixed therein by a set screw 48, the right end portion of this hinge pin 41,being journaled in a hinge knuckle 49 of an upper hinge member formed by the upper end portion of a downwardly extended right needle bar press arm 50 which is xed upon the lower marginal left end portion of the right needle bar II.

The hinge knuckles 40 and 49 of the press arms 4I and 50 form long bearings for the hinge pins 38 and 41, this being the reason for journaling them therein instead of in the knuckles 31 and 46 of the members 3I and 32.

For the two sections of the machine, represented by the two needle bars I0 and II, a single press shaft arm 5I is xed upon and extends downwardly from a usual rocking press arm shaft 52. A special form of construction is provided by means of which each of the needle bar press arms 4I and 5I] may be operatively connected to or disconnected from the single press shaft arm 5I, independently of whether the other needle bar press arm is thus connected, or dis- 5 connected.

The press shaft arm 5I, at a suitable distance below the press shaft 52 and adjacent its lower end, has a boss 53. An operating pin 54 has its middle port-ion xed in this boss 53 with opposite end portions rigidly extended laterally therefrom in, opposite directions.

The forward and backward component of the knitting movement of the needles I2-I 2 is transmitted thereto from the extended left end portion of the operating pin A54, and the similar component of movement of the needles I 3-I3 is derived from the extended right end portion of this operating pin 54, in each instance by means of separate and independent disconnectible operating connections.

The rear end of a left forwardly extended hand lever or link 55 is pivoted to the lower end of the left needle bar press arm 4I. It has a downwardly open slotted bearing 56 which dis- .sioned retractile spring 61.

engageably engages over the left end portion of the operating pin 54.

Thus, with the bearing 56 in engagement with the pin 54, the backward and forward swinging movements of the press shaft arm 5| will transmit similar swinging movements to the left needle bar press arm 4I, through the link 55. It is evident from the preceding description that this will move the needles |2-I2 of the left needle bar I0 in opposite directions, or forwardly and backwardly, in their knitting movements.

The link-forming engageable and disengageable hand lever 55 has a tail arm 51 to which there is connected the end of an upwardly and rearwardly extending stretched retractile spring 58. When the bearing 56 is disengaged from the pin 54 by lifting the handle end of the link 55, this spring will then draw the needle bar press arm* 4| and the link v55 rearwardly.

The backwardly and forwardly moving pin 56 will now be engaged by a downwardly extended hooklug 59 formed on the link 55 forwardly of a lower flat face 60, which is forwardly from the engageable and disengageable bearing 56.

The needles I 2|2 will now be at their for-` wardly shifted position, indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1, in which they are spaced away and free from the sinkers I4 and other knitting elements. Any movements now imparted to the needles I2|2 by the needle bar arms I6 and I1 and by the press shaft arm 5I are ineffective and immaterial, this being a non-knitting position of these needles |2-|2.

The lower end of the left needle bar press arm 8| f'lxedly carries a pivot pin 6| which rigidly extends therefrom toward the left and has a rear end bearing 62 of the hand lever link 55 pivoted thereon. Means by which the press arm 6I can be adjusted forwardly and backwardly on its pivot pin 6| and thus relatively to its operating link 55v will be described later.

A disconnectible operating connection from the extended right end portion of the operating pin 54 to the right needle bar press arm 50, for transmitting the forward and backward component of their knitting movement to the needles I3-| 3 of the right needle bar I is substantially similar to that described for the left needle bar press arm 4 I The lower end of the right needle bar press arm 50 xedly carries a pivot pin 63 which rigidly extends therefrom toward the right and has a rear end bearing 64 of a right forwardly extended hand lever link 65 pivoted thereon. vMeans by which the press arm 50 can be adjusted forwardly and backwardly on its pivot pin 63 and thus relatively to its operating link 65 will be described later.

The right operating link 65 has a downwardly open slotted bearing 66 which has disengageable engagement with the right end portion of the operating pin 54 of the press shaft arm 5I.

It will now be evident that the press shaft arm 5| will move the needles I3|3 of the right needle bar I forwardly and backwardly in their knitting movements, and that the two sets of needles |2|2 and |3|3 are thus similarly moved by means of similar but separate operating ,connections with the single press shaft arm 5 I.

'Ihe pivoted rear end of the hand lever link 65 has a tail arm (not shown) similar to the tail arm 51, to which there is connected an end of a ten- This link 65 has a downwardly extended hook lug 68 at the forward end of a lower flat face 69 forwardly from the downwardly open bearing 66.

When the handle end of the operating link 65 is lifted, for freeing the bearing 66 from the pin 54, the spring 61 will draw the link 65 rearwardly until its lug 68 abutsagainst the pin 54, the right needle bar press arni 50 ybeing swung rearwardly, which shifts the right needle bar forwardly, with its needles |3-I3 shifted to a non-knitting position, such as is indicated in dotted lines in Figure lfor the left needle bar I0 and its needles In the carrying out of my invention, the means provided for adjusting the respective needle bar press arms 4| and 56 relatively to their pivot pins 6| and 63, are similar and are of a usual construction per se.

The lower end of the right needle bar press arm 50 has a forwardly and rearwardly elongated head 10 formed thereon. This head 10 has through it an aperture 1| which is elongated or slotted longitudinally thereof. TheA pivot pin 63 passes through the aperture 1|. A pair of similar front and rear adjusting screws 12--12 screw through the ends of the head 10 and clamp the pivot pin 63 between them. At the right face of the head 10, the pin 63 has a collar 13 fixed thereon, and its short end portion at the left face of this head 10 carries a clamp nut 14.

The same reference numerals as were above used with respect to the right needle bar press arm 56 and its pivot pin 63, have been applied to the similar corresponding parts, wherever they are visible in the drawings, of the adjusting means provided between the left needle bar press arm 6| and its pivot pin 6|.

It will now be evident that, by means of a simple construction, having few parts, my invention provides for shifting either of the needle bars I0 or I I to a non-knitting position of its needles |2-I2 or |3-I3, while the needles of the other needle bar are still knitting; and that it further provides for separately adjusting each of the needle bars IE and either in an up-and-down direction, or in a front-and-rear direction.

The slight difference between the links 55 and 65 does not affect their manner of functioning but relates purely to the particular construction, as will be evident later.

The needle bar shaft I8 and the press arm shaft 52 are both actuated from a usual main cam shaft 15, in a usual way.

In the particular construction shown in the drawings, the press shaft arm 5I has a portion 16 extended downwardly beyond its boss 53, and having a forwardly and rearwardly elongated head 11, provided with an aperture 18 which is elongated longitudinally of the head 11.

A stud 19 is clamped between a pair of adjusting screws 80-80 which screw through the ends of thc head 11. The stud 19 extends tothe left (Figure 2) beyond a collar or head 8| fixed thereon and at the other face of the head 11 carries a clamp nut 82. The extended end portion of the stud 19 forms a journal for a cam follower roller 83 which is engaged by a cam 84 xed upon the shaft 15.

Front and rear arms 85 and 86 extend downwardly from the head 11, the end of a rearwardly extended retractile tensioned retractile spring 81 being connected to the lower end of the rear arm 86, for pressing the follower 83 toward the cam 84. The cam 84 is thus effective to move the press shaft arm 5| forwardly, and the spring 81.

to move it rearwardly. The utility of the front arm 86 does not relate to the present invention.

link with the press shaft arm almost directly in iront or the right needle bar press arm su. in order to avoid extending the left end portion of the pin iid so far beyond the boss the left link sii is extended from the right end of its rear bearing t2, on a curve toward the right and into alignment with the left needle bar press arm di at the front thereof.

in this connection, it is to be noted that the needle bar shaft it, the press shaft 52, and the cani shaft l5 extend through all of the knitting sections of the machine, of which there are commonly as many as twenty-four, forming twelve pairs, such as the pair illustrated,

it is to be further noted that there is cornmonly only one cam @d for four sections, which is one for each alternate pair of sections, the cam dit being omitted for each of the intervening alternate pairs of sections. The press shaft arm, 'similar to the arm 5l, for each of these intervening pairs oi sections is actuated by the press shaft such arm terminating in the bossI 53, and being devoid of the extension it.

in such case, the cam dit being absent, the press shaft arm, which is the same as the arm 5i cut oht just beneath its boss 53, is disposed in a plane midway between the planes of the needle bar press arms li and dii. Then, instead of the bent left link 55, this left link would be a facsimile or duplicate of the illustrated right link b5, with the pin 5d then extended out to the similar downwardly open bearings, such as tt, for each of these twin links.

in Figure l, a forwardly and downwardly ex; tended curved arm 88, indicated by broken lines, is xed upon the needle bar shaft it, for actuating the latter from the cam shaft l5, by means of a cam thereon (not shown) this being a usual form of construction in knitting machines of the type shown. There is commonly such a camoperated arm for about each four sections along the length of the machine and its needle bar shaft i8.

The operation of the above described form of my invention is as follows:

It is thought the specific functioning of the particular constituent operating parts has already been adequately explained.

In order to have a clear understanding of the improvements accomplished by my invention, it is desirable to compare the disclosed knitting machine of my invention with other knitting machines of the same general type, of which there are two in particular.

One of these prior machines accomplishes substantially similar technical results in its operation as in my invention, but has an objectionably large number of operating parts, which are crowded together too much.

The other prior machine is of a suitably simple construction, but does not accomplish the highly desirable results attained by the simply constructed machine of my invention.

The rst mentioned prior machine has a separate needle bar for each section of the machine. Each needle bar is carried by two needle bar arms, such as the arm I6 and its adjuncts shown in Figure 7. Each needle bar also has a separate press shaft arm, in general similar to the press shaft arm 5l, but each separately connected to its own needle bar. For an adjacent pair of sections, this makes four needle bar arms and two press shaft arms.

In that machine there are so many parts so close together as to make it practically impossible arcanos to reach inner parts for adjustment, oiling, and repairs. also the increased weight oi the large number of arms, particularly of the needle bar arms, requires stronger cam springs, with more wear upon the cams, and more power for driving the machine. There is also increased cost of manufacture andupkeep. The solution of the technical problems involved is thus accomplished in a machine which is mechanically unsatisfactory.

The other mentioned prior machine, of fewer parts, has a single needle bar for each of two adjacent knitting sections. There are two needle bar arms and one press shaft arm for each needle bar, these arms thus being spread over two sections of the machine, which are thus operated together as a single unit and are similarly subject to adjustments in common.

The long needle bar, extended across two sec-- tions, must be adjusted, as well as it can, in view of both ci these sections. If for any reason it becomes necessary to kdiscontinue the knitting operation for one of these sections, the knitting of the other section also stops, since both sec tions must be either operated or not operated at the same time. The capability, in my machine, of separate adjustments and of independent operation, as to the two adjacent sections of a pair, are both distinct advantages.

in this latter prior machine, a seriously objectionable disadvantage manifests itself in knitting with two or more bodythreads, as is now commonly done, the machines having multiple thread carriers which are automatically controlled for alternately substituting onethread for another during the knitting, this being a recent important and widely adopted invention.

The reason for thus laying different threads, one after another, to be successively knitted into the body of the stocking, is that the silk thread, t

as it comes from the cocoon, is not of an even size or diameter throughout its length being in some places larger or thicker, in other places smaller or thinner.

When a single thread` is used, as formerly, clearly visible rings are produced running around the stocking body. When several threads of different sizes are intermixed, the stocking is ringless.

'In the prior machine referred to, having a single needle bar for two knitting sections, there is no trouble with the use of a single thread for each of the sections.

It is evident that when a stocking is knitted with a single body thread and that thread breaks, then, since there is no thread to be knitted, the needle bar may remain at its working position, with the needles of that section going through their usual knitting motions innocuously, while knitting continues as usual in the companion section having the same needle bar.

However, in the ringless system of knitting, in which there is a plurality of threads for one knitting section, should one thread break, the remaining threads will continue to befed to the sinkers and needles. This will produce a tangle of threads, choking that section, resulting in the breaking of needles and waste of silk. In order to prevent this, the needle bar must` be shifted to its non-knitting position, which also stops the knitting in the other section belonging to that needle bar.

In the machine of my invention, it is evident that the needle bar for the section having a broken thread can be shifted away from its working position, thus moving vthe needles for that section only away from the knock-overs and sinkers, while the needle bar for the other section of the pair is undisturbed and the knitting continues in this latter sectiom Mechanical distinctions and advantages of the knitting machine of my invention, over the prior machines mentioned, are noted as follows As compared with the machine having four needle bar arms and two 'press shaft arms, my machine has only three needle bar arms and one press shaft arm. This construction has been found in practice to render all parts of the machine readily accessible and there is also a saving of material in the machine.

,As compared with the machine having a single needle bar for an adjacent pair of sections, my machine has only one more needle bar arm and one more needle bar press arm, with its separate operating link. -The few parts in my machine, as combined in a co-operative relation, accomplish all of the desired results, including several of which the single needle bar machine is incapable.

In knitting machines in general similar to the one last noted, it has been proposed to secure separate adjustability in the two sections of a pair operated as a unit, by making a composite needle bar having a strong base member or bar, to which the operating parts are connected, and then separately adjustably mounting a pair of shorter needle-carrying bars upon this base bar, thus forming a sectional three-part needle bar.

Such a construction is objectionably bulky and heavy. It encroaches upon space at a place e where it should be conserved and increases weight at a place where lightness is desirable. Also it introduces complications in construction where there should be simplicity.

It has been found in practice that with machines having my invention, production is considerably increased over other knitting machines of the same general type.

It is believed that the knitting machine of my invention has now been clearly and fully described as to its construction and manner of operation, and in such manner as to distinguish it from other inventions.

Knitting machines of the same general type already built and in use can be readily converted into embodiments of my invention, merely by the substitution of a few vsimple parts, which has already been accomplished in practice.

- It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the construction shown in the drawings and above particularly described, within the principle and scope of my invention as dened in the appended claims.

I do not strictly limit myself to specific details of construction, nor to size or shape or materials, nor to specic proportions or relationship of parts, these being given simply as a means for clearly describing and explaining the machine of my invention.

What I claim is:- l

1. In a knitting machine, in combination, a pair of needle bars having adjacent opposed ends, and a series of needle bar arms hingedly connected to sai'd needle bars, one of said arms being hingedly connected to the opposed end portions of both of said needle bars.

2. In a knitting machine, in combination, a pair of needle bars having adjacent opposed ends, and a series of three needle bar arms of which the middle arm is hingedly connected to the opposed end portions of both of said needle bars and of which the terminal arms are hingedly connected to the respective said needle bars.

3. In a knitting machine, in combination, a pair of needle bars having adjacent opposed ends, a series of three needle bar arms of which the middle arm is hingedly connected to the opposed end portions of both of said needle bars and of which the terminal arms are hingedly connected to the respective said needle bars, and means providing for adjusting each of said needle bars independently of the other relatively to the said needle bar arms to which it is connected.

4. In a knitting machine, in combination, a pair -of needle bars having adjacent opposed ends, a series of three needle bar arms, a hinge connect-- ing a terminal one of said arms to one of said needle bars, a hinge connecting the other terminal one of said arms to the other said needle bar, a hinge connecting the middle one of said arms to the adjacent opposed end portion of one only of said needle bars, another hinge connecting said middle arm with the opposed end portion of the other one only of said needle bars, and means providing for the individual up-and-down adjustment of each of said hinges upon its ,said needle bararm independently of any other of said hinges.

5. In a knitting machine, in combination, a pair of needle bars normally having adjacent opposed ends, a series of movable carrying members for said needle bars to which each of said needle bars is hingedly connected independently of the other said needle bar, the opposed end portions of both of said needle bars being hingedly connected to a single intermediate one of members, a single operating member for hingedly moving both of said needle bars, a disconnectible operating connection connecting one of said needle bars with said operating member and providing for hingedly shifting this needle bar away from its working position independently of the other said needle bar, and another disconnectible operating connection connecting the other one of said needle bars with said operating member and providing for hingedly shifting this other needle bar away from its working position independently of the rst mentioned needle bar.

6. In a knitting machine, in combination, a pair of needle bars normally having adjacent opposed ends, a series of movable carrying members for said needle bars to which each of said needle bars is hingedly connected independently of the other said needle bar, the opposed end portions of both of said needle bars being hingedly connected to a single intermediate Yone of members, a single operating member for hingedly moving both of said needle bars, a disconnectible operating connection connecting one of said needle bars with said operating member and providing for hingedly shifting this needle bar away from its working position independently of the other said needle bar, another disconnectible operating connection connecting the other one of said needle bars with said operating member and providing for hingedly shifting this other needle bar away from its working position independvof said needle bars independently of the other relatively to said operating member.

7. in a knitting inathineg in combination, a pair of needle hars normally having adjacent opposed ends, a series of three needle 'oar arms, a hinge connecting one of said needle oars to a terminal one of said arms, a hinge connecting the other said needle har to the other terminal one of said arms, a hinge connecting the opposed end portion of one only of said needle hars to the middle one of said arms, another hinge connecting the opposed end portion oi the other one only of said needle bars to said middle arm, a single press shaft arm for Tooth of said needle hars, a needle har press arn'l fixed upon one of said needle bars, another needle oar press arm fixed upon the other of said needle hars, a disconnectiiole operating linls connecting one of said press arms with said press shaft arm, and another disconneetible operating link connecting the other said press arm `with said press` shaft arm.

8. En a `knitting machina-in combination, a pair oi needle bars normally having adjacent opposed ends, a series of three needle bar arms, a hinge connecting one of said needle bars to a 'terminal one of said arms, a hinge connecting the other said needle bar to the other terminal one ci said arms, a hinge connecting the opposed end portion oi one only oi said needle bars to the middle one of said arms, another hinge connecting the opposed end portion of the other one only of said needle bars to said middle arm, a single press shaft arm for both of said needle hars, a needle bar press arm iixed upon one of said needle bars, another needle bar press arm fixed upon the other of said needle bars, a disconnectible operating link connecting one of said press arms with said press shaft arm, another disconnectible operating link connecting the other said press arm with said press shaft arm, means providing for the adjustment'of each of said hinges upon its said needle bar arm independently of any other of said hinges, and means providing for the adjustment of each of said needle barsr independently of the other upon its said hinges relatively to said press shaft arm.

9. in a knitting machine, in combination, a

lpair of needle bars normally having adjacent opposed ends, a series of three needle bar arms, a hinge connecting one of said needle. bars to a terminal one of said arms, a hinge connecting the other said needle bar to the other terminal one of said arms, a hinge connecting the opposed end portion of one only o1 said needle bars to the middle one of said arms, another hinge connecting the opposed end portion of the other one only of said needle bars to said middle arm, a single press shaft arm for both of said needle bars, a needle bar press arm xed upon one of said needle bars, another needle har press arm fixed upon the other oi said needle bars, a disconnectilole operating link connecting one of said press arms with said press shaft arm, another disconnectible operating link connecting the other said press arm `with said press shaft arm, means providing tor the adjustment of each of said needle bars independently of the other relatively to the said needle har arms to which it is connected, and means providing for the adjustment of each of said needle bar press arms relatively to its said operating link.

l0. in a knitting machine, in combination, a pair of needle bars having adjacent opposed ends, a needle har press arm hired upon the opposed end portion oi one of said needle hars, another needle par 'press arm hired upon the opposed end portion of the other said needle har, a series of three needle har arms, a hinge connecting a terminal one or said needle har arms to one oi said needle bars, a hinge connecting the other terminal one of said needle har arms to the other said needle bar, a hinge connecting the middle needle bar arm with the opposed end portion of one of said needle bars through the intermediary of its said press arm forming an upper hinge member, another hinge connecting said middle needle bar arm with the opposed end portion of the other said needle bar through the intermedi ary of its said press arm forming an upper hinge member of this said other needle bar, a single press shaft arm for both needle hars adjacent to said middle needle bar arm, an operating pin xedly carried by said press shaft arm and having opposite end'portions extended laterally, a discon- `disengageable operating engagement with th other said end portion of said pin. 

